Pleasure Therapist || Ryeji ff

- Chapter 18 -

Blearily forcing her eyes open just shy of nine o'clock the next morning, Yeji's first instinct was to pick up her phone. She ignored the disappointed clench of her belly when she discovered no new notifications, brought up Lia's cell number, and initiated a call before she could talk herself out of the apology she needed to give. Her teeth worried her lower lip nervously through two full rings, and she almost hung up midway through the third. It was possible Chaeryeong had her occupied. That would explain the delay - that, or Yeji was being ignored.

On the cusp of ending the call, Yeji was startled when Lia answered with a frantic, breathless, "Yeji? Still there?"

Struck by her urgency, Yeji put the phone back to her ear. "I'm here. Is everything okay? Am I interrupting, or...?"

"Everything is fine, and no, not interrupting. I accidentally left my phone on the bed before setting off on a long, arduous journey to take care of business in a real toilet. I'd only just embarked on the return trip when I heard your ringtone from across the room." Lia chuckled, panting from the exertion. "T've gotta say, I had no idea I was still capable of moving that fast."

Wincing, Yeji scolded her. "Don't you dare risk life and limb to answer the phone, especially when you know it's me. I'll understand if you need to call back when it's more convenient."

"I know, I know. But I've.. been hoping to hear from you." Lia hesitated. "And I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you on purpose because Chaeryeong was here, or whatever."

Rather than deny that the thought had crossed her mind, Yeji asked, "Is she there? Because we can always talk another time."

"Chaeryeong's with another client this morning."
Lia released an almost inaudible sigh. "She said she'll check in on me later tonight, but probably not until after dinner."

Yeji experienced a sympathetic twinge at the powerful longing in Lia's voice. Relieved by the emergence of a more evolved, empathetic perspective, she relaxed into her pillow and reassumed the role of best friend. "Bummer.
Sounds like you miss her."

'Terribly." After a beat, Lia added, "But not as much as I've been missing you."

Yeji exhaled. "I was selfish the other night...a total bitch. You were right, of course. We aren't a couple, which means you're free to fall in love with anyone you want. I have no claim on your heart, even if I enjoy sharing your body sometimes." Horrified by the fit she'd pitched in reaction to Lia's big announcement, she cringed and retreated farther beneath the comforter. "You deserve a woman who loves and cares for you, free from any caveats. A woman who can give herself to you completely. who fits into your life better than I ever have or will."

"You fit into my life," Lia insisted. "Just...as my closest friend. She who knows me best."

Not for long, if this works out with Chaeryeong.
Yeji silenced her cynical inner commentary, determined to focus on Lia's feelings first. "I love you, Lia, and I want you to be happy. I know I can't give you that. Not true happiness." Unsure how best to conclude her apology, Yeji eventually settled on, "I was wrong to expect you to turn your back on the possibility of love just because I have. Please, forgive me." Lia said one word, but Yeji slipped in another apology first - the one she considered most important of all. "Also, I never should've called you old. You're not, but I know you've felt insecure about your age since the accident, so it was extra shitty on my part to harangue you about the generation gap. In retrospect, that was unforgivably cruel."

"Even so, you're forgiven." Indeed, Lia's voice didn't carry any malice or resentment. "I understood why you reacted so harshly. It's not like I thought you'd be happy about me bedding Ryujin's cousin."